The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-14
THE OLD FLAGS EXCITE THEM
Remarkable VeneratiOn of Veterans for
the COlors Under Which They Fought.
Why the State Librarian Thinks 1t Is Not Ad-
visable 20 Allow the Flags to Be Taken
Ont for Public Exhibition.

It begins to appear that the matter Of loaning
but the flags, in the custody Of the State Libra
ian, is question with two sides, and some or
hose who a few weeks ago were strongly in ia
ror of permitting regimental associations to have
their old flags at their meetings are going over
10 the opposition. A case of this kind is found
In Representative Ackman, who was in custody
Of the flags recently taken to Fortville On
turning them he gave sigh of relief. and said:
81 am glad to get these back. 1 wish 1 had
meyer taken them"
why sop was asked
Because have been constantly worried with
fear that they would be mutilated.'
by whoml"
by the soldiers. It is almost impossible to
comprehend the feelings of soldiers towards
their old colors, unless you have yourself expe-
rienced the feeling. There is the deepest sense
of veneration and love. and there is also feel
ing of ownership. With some men there is
almost irresistible desire to have piece of their
old flag in their possession. and have been
sorely afraid that some of them might crafty it
by taking bits OF them Why, there was one
farmer at orr reunion who said he would give
the best horse he had for piece of his regi
mental flag two inches square, and another
offered twenty dollars for a thread. 1t looks
like such little thing to pinch a few threads
from a shredded banner that you cannot tell
what to expect"
'Do you think. then, that they ought not to 60
outp
81 do; and the same opinion was expressed by
q number of soldiers at reunion"
Inquiry made of the State Librarian as to
her personal opinion the subject. 81 think
they ought not to be taken out" she replied.
''and have always said so. When you come to
consider that the flags not merely the prop
erty of the State, but also mementoes of great
war, and that they can never be replaced il
they are destroyed or lost, it seems clear to me
that the greatest care should be taken for their
safe preservation. It looks like this thing of
1oanng them. and having them carried about
the State was certain, sooner or later to result
in the loss of some Of them, no matter how much
care is taken of them"
What do you think should be done with
them"
II think that if memorial building is built
in connection with the soldiers and sailors
monument place should be provided for them
there, and they should be kept there. If not.
there ought to be apartments set aside in the
capitol for the flags and the museum, separate
from the library, and they should be kept
there"
soldiers mutilating the flags for the purpose of
obtaining mementoesP
There is no telling Old soldiers certainly
have very curious feelings in regard to the flags,
but have not observed any manifestation of
their peculiar ideas. except in WAYS that APP
peared laughable. let committee have some
flags, some days ago. and among them two cap
tured rebel flags. They would not wrap the
rebel flags with the others. because they said
they would contaminate Them so they made
them into a separate bundle, and then of
the committee wanted to carry them. The man
that brought them back said he had a great
deal of trouble in keeping the soldiers from spit
ting on the rebel flags"
"Have you had many calls for flags recently?"
"Quite a number, and most of them were let
tors asking that the flags be sent by express. /
refused to comply with these requests, and in-
famed them that would not permit any flag to
go out except when it called for by re-
sponsible person who would guarantee the e.
turn of the flag the condition in VIII ich it was
delivered TO him. In 1 offered to send
n custodian with the flag, if his expenses
paid. am responsible for the flags. and shall
not permit them to out without positive
surance of the greatest care for them while they
are out"
1t is rumored in Grand Army circles that Dis
trict Commander Ira j. Chase is preparing a
public letter on the subject, in which he will
take grounds against letting the flags 60 out
Whether this rumor is correct not, there is
undoubtedly a large amount of discussion of the
subject, and marked difference of opinion
fha